AUGUST DEADLIEST MONTH FOR U.S. IN AFGHANISTAN

KABUL — An American service member died Friday when his vehicle struck a bomb in eastern Afghanistan, making August the deadliest month for U.S. forces in the nearly eight-year war.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/28/us-firing-on-afghan-clini_n_270997.html

The grim milestone comes as the top U.S. commander prepares to submit his assessment of the conflict – a report expected to trigger intense debate on the Obama administration's strategy in an increasingly unpopular war.

The latest death was reported as Afghan officials announced an 80 percent increase in the number of major fraud allegations submitted after last week's disputed presidential election – a sign of the deep challenges facing the U.S. and its allies in shoring up a legitimate Afghan government capable of withstanding the Taliban insurgency, corruption and drug trafficking.